Hello All! Newbie here

[Blueyed Girl]

My gosh, I don't think I've ever been on a forum this big! I've been reading around for 2 days now and finally decided to just post a hello here.

We are going to WDW in early/mid February for 5 nights. This will be our first time at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Last time we stayed on Disney property but not at a resort. It was a last minute trip during the 25th anniversary so we had to take what we could get back then!

I am married with one son and our upcoming WDW trip will be my 3rd, DH's 2nd, and my DS's VERY FIRST TRIP!!!! I am so excited, I'm bursting at the seams. I can not wait to see his face when we get there! He is 2 1/2 years old and I've been waiting to take him since he was BORN. DH said we should wait until he's at least 5 but I finally wore him down.

We've also purchased the dining plan and made 3 reservations so far. I know some of you are thinking "3?? woo-don't hurt yourself!" But, since we have a toddler we didn't want to put ourselves under the strain of a strict schedule. Which brings me to a question I have....if you make these reservations and can't keep them, do they charge you a "meal" for it??

Oh, and one more thing... are there parking fee's if we want to drive our vehicle from the resort to one of the parks?? If so, how much?? I'm thinking that for closing time's I'd rather have our own vehicle with a tired toddler than deal with a crowded bus.

Thanks for any answers! Glad to be here and have so many people to talk to!

 

[May Queen]

Welcome to Disboards, Blue-Eyed Girl!!
Don't be intimidated...we're all nice! (especially me! )
Now, I received this ADR information from allearsnet (I've never been on the dining plan!)
"If you know ahead of time, call WDW Dining and cancel it. The system was created so that no-shows wouldn't affect how people are seated in the restaurants. If you don't check in for your Advance Reservation, you will not be put into the queue and the next available party will take your place. However, keep in mind if you do not call, you may be stopping another group from dining at that restaurant."
For your second question, you are not charged if you are a Disney resort guest, which you are! You'll get a little pass to put on your car. This information I also received from allearsnet. For instance, you'll be in a certain character's parking lot. Like Chip and Dale or Goofy.
I hope I helped and welcome to the Dis!!
~May Queen

 

[themudd4]

Welcome to the DIS. Everyone here is great!

ADR's are great...and I know you only made 3...I would go ahead and try to plan a little more. Worst case, you don't show...they will just skip you and go to the next one. The only way you would be charged is if you are going to CRT or any of the other 2 credit meals that normally require a deposit. Those do require a 24 hour notice I think. I would just hate to have a hundry toddler and not be able to get in to eat for 60 minutes or so if you can even get in. Better be safe than sorry. Just plan a little earlier than when you normally eat dinner and then by the time your seated and severed your toddler will be hungrey. If you see you are not going to make it to an ADR tho you can stop by any Disney phone (I think) and there are directions on the phone to contact WDW-Dine too cancel. Always better to be nice when/if possible.

You will be given a parking pass so you will not have to pay for parking.

My suggestion to you would be since you are going with a toddler...don't be the mean cruel parent that pushes your toddler beyond their limitations. It is their vacation too. Allow yourself breaks during the day...you will all need it! Maybe even pick up a guide book or two and see how others with toddlers do it.
Hope that helps some...
Enjoy your trip!

 

[lgp1]

Welcome to the Dis.The people on these boards are really friendly.Hope you have fun

 

[Indianadisneyfan]

Welcome to DIS. We don't bite so don't be affraid. We were all new at one time or another.

 

[Disney753]

Welcome to a great place. Most are very friendly on here and have lots of info to share.

 

[Blueyed Girl]

Thanks for the answers and tips, you guys! I'm going to scout out more restaurants and see where I think we'd like to eat. I'd rather make a couple reservations and have to cancel some, I guess, than to have to wait in line too long. I will have plenty of snacks for my toddler (as I always do because toddlers are, well....toddlers! Ha ha!) I don't want to be the mom that drags him everywhere which is why I didn't want to do TOO much planning. I didn't want us to have to rush to get from place to place and end up not having fun in between. There is also a refrigerator in our room so I plan on getting some food/snacks for in there too. I think my restaurant planning will get a lot easier when I either get my maps in or I can view them on the website again. Right now they won't come up for me!

This is our 1st vacation in a looong time. Actually, DH and I haven't been on vacation since our last trip to Disney which was the 25th anniversary so that was what?....1996 or 1997.

I'm also glad to find out about the parking tags!! This will help alot!

 

[WeirdTigger27]

It's about time you took a vacation again! My husband and I just got to take our first vacation together after being married for nearly 3 years. Life just happens sometimes!!! I hope you guys get lots of !!!

 

[luvgrumpy]

to the Dis! When you make your ADRs they will tell you if it is one that they charge for no-shows. You should always call to cancell if you won't be able to make it, but certain ones require a 48 hour cancellation. One example would be if you had a Fantasmic Dining package at D-MGM Studios.
Have fun planng!

 

[byoung]

Welcome to the DIS!

 

[munchkin bunchkin]

Welcome to the Wonderful World of DIS!

 

[Blueyed Girl]

Thanks for the warm welcome, you guys!

 

[DawnMarie]

 

[Minniespal]

Welcome to the Dis